Medical Center announces plan to end Executive Health, special patient services programs
In moves intended to strengthen equity in the delivery of care, the Medical Center will immediately discontinue special patient services and phase out its Executive Health Program by June 30, officials have announced.
Medical Center CEO Mark B. Taubman said the decision was made in consultation with University leaders, faculty members, medical students, and other trainees, staff, and Medical Center board members. He described both programs as elements of a legacy health care system that no longer reflects Medical Center values.
“We are deeply committed to the goals of our Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan, which compels us to make changes that foster inclusion and demonstrate equity as a health system,” Taubman said. “Discontinuing programs that focused on a relatively small number of privileged individuals will enable us to improve access to services of exceptional quality for all patients.”
Taubman explained that the process of developing and implementing the Medical Center’s plan has led the institution to examine programs like Executive Health and special patient services through an equity lens. A January COVID-19 vaccine clinic intended for employees, at which 26 eligible people well-connected to the University were vaccinated, accelerated review of whether these programs align with the goals and values of today’s Medical Center.
Mary Ann Mavrinac, vice provost and the Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries, announces that she will retire this fall
Susan B. Anthony Center Legacy Award recipients are recognized
New evidence suggests mother’s milk can help fight COVID-19
Since Wednesday’s notice in @Rochester, there are five new cases of COVID-19 to report: four River Campus students and one Eastman Campus student. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.
It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.
If you think you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to report them through Dr. Chat Bot—for non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students and for Medical Center employees—immediately. Even if you think your symptoms might be something else—like a cold, seasonal congestion, or allergies—it’s still important to tell University health professionals and contact tracers what you’re experiencing.
Vice Provost and Neilly Dean Mary Ann Mavrinac announces retirement in the coming fall
Kathy Waller ’80, ‘83S (MBA) and Jennifer Muniak honored with Susan B. Anthony Center leadership awards
University Trustee Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA), retired chief financial officer at the Coca-Cola Company, and Jennifer Muniak, an assistant professor of medicine, are this year’s Susan B. Anthony Center professional women’s leadership award winners. They join five University undergraduates—An Nguyen ’22, Cindy Le ’21, Ximena Reyes Torres ’21, Victoria Liverpool ’22, and Denise Navarrete ’22—as 2021 recipients. The Susan B. Anthony Legacy Awards honor exceptional women from the University community and their achievements. Read more about this year’s recipients.
New evidence suggests mother’s milk can help fight COVID-19
University flags will be lowered Tuesday, February 23, for Mark Hartmann, a registered nurse in hematology-oncology nursing, who died on January 31. Hartmann joined the University in 2000.
Columnist Thomas Edsall’s opinion piece cites Gretchen Helmke, a professor of political science, who notes that Bright Line Watch— a political science research project that she cofounded—found that there was, “Quite strong support among political scientists for the proposal to repeal the 1967 law mandating single-member districts for the House so that states have the option to use multi-member districts on the condition that they adopt a nonwinner-take-all election model. Of the more than 500 expert respondents, 73 percent either moderately or strongly supported the proposal.”
Undergraduates from Rochester’s athletic teams share a little about their athletic, academic, and personal backgrounds. New profiles are added each day on the Athletics website. Recent profiles include
Nick Annechino ’23, who carries a double major in neuroscience and psychology, discusses what led him to play football at Rochester
Nicole Gelb ’22 shares what attracted her to swimming, and the key to winning a short race like the 50-yard freestyle
Kailan Lee ’21 is a peer mentor through the UR Investment Banking Program and shares the significance of wearing jersey No. 0 on the basketball court
Juliana Okoniewski ’22, who was named to the UAA Presidents’ Scholar-Athlete Team last year, discusses what led her to major in brain and cognitive science at Rochester
James O’Neill ’22, who has competed in three weight-related throwing events in track and field, talks about why he chose to major in chemical engineering
Kyle Sullivan ’23, who concentrates on swimming sprint distances, talks about what brought him to Rochester
College Year in Athens Education Abroad information session
College Year in Athens has been overseeing students in volunteer placements and internships in Greece for over 25 years. Join the Center for Education Abroad and College Year in Athens at an information session geared toward undergraduates today, Thursday, February 11, at 4 p.m. EST to learn more about virtual opportunities abroad. Register to attend here. Graduate students are welcome to attend the session; to take part in the program, they would have to meet with their respective advisors and schools.
How to become a University researcher during a pandemic
In conjunction with the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections, the River Campus Libraries has assembled a group of undergraduate students to talk about their research experiences, before and during the pandemic. Take in their firsthand accounts on Friday, February 12, at 5 p.m. EST. The Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
Attend a School of Nursing virtual open house on Monday
Join School of Nursing admissions representatives and program faculty on Monday, February 15, at 5:30 p.m. EST to discover how the new Acute Care Pediatric NP Post-Master’s Certificate program can transform your nursing career. Register to attend and learn more about this unique opportunity, including program eligibility, curriculum, deadlines, and how to apply. Contact School of Nursing admissions with questions.
Psychotherapy 101
Navigating the different types of therapy can be overwhelming to someone who is looking for help. Read February’s Behavioral Health Partners blog on different therapy types to learn more about which one could be helpful for you.
Apply for the 2021 University Research Awards
Applications are open for the 2021 University Research Awards, which provide “seed” grants for promising, high-risk projects. Applications are sought from faculty across the University, and funding is awarded to recipients who demonstrate their projects favor new research with a high probability of being leveraged by future external funding. A review committee of faculty from across the University provides peer review of the applications.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 12. Selected applicants may be asked to present their research project to the Executive Research Committee prior to the final award decisions, which will be announced mid-May. Recipients of this award are required to peer review future University Research Award proposals. Completed applications should be directed to Adele Coelho at adele.coelho@rochester.edu.
Primary care providers needed for research study
Primary care providers with prescription privileges, who are willing to share their knowledge about how communication between patients and providers influences decisions regarding PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) use in New York State, are needed for a research study through the School of Nursing. Participants will be paid $45 for completing one 20-30 minute interview by phone, Zoom, or in-person. To learn more call (585) 275-6629 or (585) 273-2699 or email Judith_brasch@urmc.rochester.edu or Marian_moskow@urmc.rochester.edu.
Join the Humanities Center for an informal meet-up to welcome this semester’s internal fellows and catch up with other Humanities Center affiliates. The virtual open house takes place via Zoom on Tuesday, February 16, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST.
Workshop on nonviolent communication
The M.K. Gandhi Center is hosting a six-week workshop, “Embodying Nonviolent Communication,”on Thursdays from February 18 to March 25. The sessions take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. EST. Capacity is limited to 25; register here to learn more and reserve your spot.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week lectures
In recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, taking place February 22–28, the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders—a collaboration with the School of Nursing—will host a three-session presentation series detailing the lived experience of moving from disconnection to connection. There is no cost to attend these events. Find more information on each session, as well as the Zoom link, here.
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